Sickness

I am not really creative enough today to write anything mostly due to the fact that I have been sick for the last 24 hours. Starting to feel better but I am going to take it easy on my body and mind today. I will blog something worthwhile tomorrow.

The Book of Revelation -- Part 14 -- The Fifth Trumpet

What gets interesting here is that after four trumpets in rapid succession and taking up only a few verses; suddenly the book focuses at length on a couple trumpets. An additional title is given to them as well -- the first two woes.

The Fifth Trumpet has more speculation and controversy on it than much of the rest of the book -- What the heck are these things? Deformed demons or something that John could only describe in terms he could understand but is seeing something entirely different? Don't know. Don't know how machines could come from the bottomless pit. I also doubt the original hearers would have looked at this as anything other than a supernatural force or event.

What is clear is a) This is very bad -- worse than the previous trumpets. and b) they do something far worse that kill -- they torment with terrible pain for a specific time period -- five months.

Next: The Sixth Trumpet

Science Fiction and Theology -- Part 3 -- Alien Religion (Scripture)

Now consider this. When an alien race is discovered they too have a Holy Bible. What then?

If you really consider it, it becomes a difficult question. On what level would such a book be authoritative? Is it inspired? How do we determine these things? Not easy questions at all are they?

The questions of what Scripture would be if done by other races other than the human race becomes a quagmire of thought.

My thoughts are that it would be differ net from our own -- different events and characters with different actions. It would contain history, the history of God's interaction with that race, but it would be completely foreign to our own. The one thing it would have in common is that through that interaction between God and the aliens there would be a revelation of God in truth. It would echo our own understandings but would not be completely the same. it might, were we to understand it, give us a view of God that we would find opens up our own understanding and that of the aliens.

Because of this we would understand it is inspired but to whom -- us, the aliens or both? Possible both, maybe just to them.

It is also possible that they may also have conflicting religions each with their own scriptures and that means sifting through them all to find the ones that are inspired. But what criteria to use? Maybe simply finding common understandings about God may be enough; maybe not.

Next: Alien Religion (Faith and Practice)

Marriage and the Bible -- Part 13 -- Wives as Possessions

What gets interesting as you get into the Law of Moses is the dealing with the idea of a woman as a wife also being a possession of the husband.
1. If a slave is given a wife for instance the wife still belongs to the owner unless the slave decides to bond himself to his master permanently.
2. Divorce is only one way -- it is almost like giving up title to a car today the way the law for divorce reads in the law.
3. Up till now wives are given and taken but there is almost no provision in the Bible for a woman to decided by her choice who she is to marry and the opposite is true for men.
4. The handmaiden laws and customs meant that in a sense the handmaiden was property of the mistress unless she gave that handmaiden to her husband -- then she became his.

Now this would change as we go along, but up till now what is presented by the Bible both in example and the law is women as a special kind of property. With some rights but not as much as men. We are still far from the end of this study, but if we were to stop here we would have to conclude women are a kind of property. Protected and valued, but property nonetheless.

Next: Other Laws Regarding Marriage and Women

The Book of Revelation -- Part 13 -- Trumpets One Through Four

When the seventh seal is opened it, seven angels step forward with seven trumpets. Before a single one of them sounds a vial is given to another angel that contains the prayers of the saints that is poured over the altar of God. It is an addition vial to the prayers already before God and it causes these events to start.
1. Trumpet 1 -- Hail and fire that destroys one third of the world's vegetation.
2. Trumpet 2 -- mountain thrown in the ocean -- third of the world's water -- blood
3. Trumpet 3 -- Wormwood star that makes the fresh waters bitter -- people die.
4. Trumpet 4 -- Strikes third of the lights in the sky darkened.

Now there are two notes to make about this:
Firstly, that it is the prayers of the saints that start the ball rolling here.
Secondly, there is still no time table in this from the book itself.

In the end an angel speaks woe about the trumpets still to sound.

Next: The Fifth Trumpet

Is There Any Doubt?

1. Is there any doubt that God has a sense of humor when you look in the mirror?
2. Is there any doubt that God has a sense of humor when you consider the duck billed platypus.?
3. Is there any doubt God has a sense of humor when you consider he has called you into his service?
4. Is there any doubt God has a sense of humor when you consider who God has placed in you family and church?
5. Is there any doubt God has a sense of humor when you consider how He has solved some of your problems?

I don't doubt that God gets a great big belly laugh at times.

Science Fiction and Theology -- Part 2 -- Aliens!

My issue here is what does the existence of aliens do to our understanding of God and ourselves. The issue of whether they exist I will leave to you the reader but for the sake of argument lets us assume they do. I will add though that the universe is a BIG place and to assume that we are the only sentient life form God every created is not only egotistical but Human centric nonsense. God is also a very creative God and I doubt he has limited his creativity to just us here on planet earth.

This brings us to the first issue. Human egotism. On two fronts this confronts us a) that God's plans may involves something larger than this speck of dust rotating around a bright light in the Milky Way. Other races and beings my be involved in God's plans and we may only be a small part of that and a) In humility we may have to realize that we are not even really essential to God's plans at all and do not have an inherent right to those plans.

The second issue. The nature of what the image of God is may be called into question. If other races are also created in this image but they do not look or act like us, what does this do to our understanding of ourselves as created in God's image.

What becomes very clear is the discovery of aliens would do one of two things -- create fear or humility. Given our sinfulness -- fear is more likely and there would be war and we would start it if the race we encounter is sinless.

That brings up a final issue, one that C.S. Lewis explored in his Sci-Fi series of books -- what if another race of aliens faced their test and did not fail? How would we react to them and how they would react to us becomes and interesting issue. A non-fallen race would completely compliant with God's will. Maybe that is why we haven't met them -- it would be too dangerous -- for them. I know another blow to human pride and ego.

Next: Alien Religion

Marriage and the Bible -- Part 12 -- Giving and Taking Wives

What has happened repeatedly so far is an interesting phenomena -- there is a contstant reference to 'giving' or 'taking' wives. A man is always in charge of this giving or taking. The father or other guardian gives or the future husband takes. The woman -- well she seems to just be caught in whatever the giving or taking does to them.

The one thing the Bible does not possess when it comes to marriage is that many times it has little to do with love and romance. Marriages are more about producing children than companionship. In those stories, sometimes a couple finds love either slightly before or after the marriage but for the most part marriage is about arrangement or situation but not about the happiness of the husband or wife.

This is why I am starting to see a concept of the simple fact any man and woman can be married. Whether or not they enjoy 'oneness' by being husband and wife seems to be a matter of choice and desire.

Next: Wives as Possessions

The Book of Revelation -- Part 12 -- The Seventh Seal

OK. I am ready for Revelation Again. Revelation 8:1-2
The only thing that can really be said about the Seventh Seal is that it ends the opening of the Scroll and initiates two things -- Silence for a half hour and trumpets are distributed to angels for the next act. It does not really say what these things mean it just says they are done.

Next: Trumpets One Through Four.

Science Fiction and Theology -- Part 1 -- The Challenges

New Series to break things up a bit and have a little fun.

The issues science fiction has brought to theology are numerous. People may say 'why bother' but science fiction has an alarming way of becoming science fact in a quick hurry. Robots, cell phones, landing on the moon, space stations all have moved across this line. Probably more alarming are some of the medical ones -- cloning, regenerative medicine and others.

Theology, unfortunately, always seems to be reactive to these issues mostly because we have have this 'stay in the real world' mentality. The problem is the real world has a rapid way of turning into the sci-fi one. Then we're always scrambling.

Some of the issues out there are:
1. Aliens -- existence and who.
2. Alien Religion -- if aliens do exist what about their beliefs?
3. Brain transplant -- effective immortality?
4. The continued advance of information and the spread of information.
5. Space Travel -- moral questions abound about (marriage, children and colonization)
6. Cryo sleep -- what do we do with people who sleep through centuries?
7. What does all these things do to our understanding of the Scriptures?

Next: Do Aliens Exist?

Marriage and the Bible -- Part 11 -- Joseph's Wife

Joseph's Wife was an Egyptian given to him by the Pharaoh. Two issues that merit a look:
1. The mixed marriage issue seems suspended at this point. God is not upset and the two half tribes do come from this woman
2. The idea of a person giving another man a wife and the woman not having much choice about it (or even the man in some cases) -- we will see this more in the future especially next post. You know you almost think women before they were married in this culture were like assets or trading cards. Not exactly the high view of person hood that many believe in today.

Next: The Giving of Wives

Marriage and the Bible -- Part 10 -- Judah and Tamar

The story of Judah and Tamar actually illustrates several points.
First, it introduces the custom of a younger brother raising up seed for his older brother. A custom that will later become part of the Law. Basically if the oldest brother died the next older brother would take his wife as his own wife in an attempt to raise up children for the inheritance. Marriage for other legal purposes is what is represented here. Not a lot of romance there but God actually sides with the idea because the guy who does not cooperate with the custom is killed by God.

Secondly, it introduces a possibility. If the second brother already has a wife this was not considered an exception to the rule. The second oldest brother would still have to take her as wife number two. Polygamy enforced by God and the Law.

In the story Tamar eventually has to take matters into her own hand and gets Judah to conceive a child with her by playing the prostitute. In the end, Judah becomes her husband although he never touches her again. Marriage here is about fulfilling the desires of culture to produce heirs as well as God's purpose in making sure this is done.

For me, this is starting to show a difference between people becoming one flesh -- husband and wife and marriage for other purposes. Judah and Tamar were married but were they united in the end as husband and wife? One Flesh? Probably not.

Next: Joseph's Foreign Wife

Tuesdays are Always Busy

True. I come home from work, sleep, go to the church at 4pm and stay till 8pm with various activities and then go back to work. Yeash. That's why the short meaningless article.

Blessings to those in Christ.

Babylon 5, An Introspective Moment

I have always been a fan of Science Fiction and Fantasy. Christians have a tendency to overreact to such things thinking them attacks on their faith or wastes of time. In my understanding of God there has sometimes been no greater spur to my imaginations and thoughts about God than someone who has decided to create his own world or imagined what it would be like to fly to the stars.

One of my favorites in past years, over a decade ago was a series called Babylon 5 which spanned five seasons encompassing many characters both human and alien it dealt with more subjects that than can be reasonably covered in this post but every science fiction genre and idea was touched along with so many social issues including theology and philosophy as well.

For me personally, I originally watched this series on cable recently having returned from Seminary and I was still dealing with my fathers death. One of the few joys I had in those dark years for me was Babylon 5. Even when the series had its final season I still loved the story and watched reruns every time they were on. The final season was particularly hard to watch not because it was not good but because of the finality of it all. Every major character either faded out over the last few episodes or left entirely.

I have always been drawn to good characters particularly side characters just off the main path. For me three characters were my favorites G'Kar (the alien Narn played by Andreas Katsulas) Micheal Garibaldi (played by Jerry Doyle -- he has a book out now) and Londo Mollari (the human like alien Centauri destined to become Emperor played by Peter Jurasik). Between the interplay between G'Kar and Londo and Garibaldi's struggles throughout all five seasons it made for a great story. Londo was always a fascinating character and one of my favorite quotes comes from him. "When I first arrived on Babylon 5 I had no power and all the choices in the world, Now I have absolute power and no choice at all" He is speaking of the fact that as he became Emperor he had to wilfully slave himself to another alien race to save his people. Kind of a Messiah figure only slightly different.

This morning I finished the last episode of the final season. Even after all these years the goodbyes and endings still make a person a little sad. All things end and even the memory of them fades away but for me it was something that got me through a trying time in my life. Babylon 5 -- still a great story.

Great Unity Service

This evening we the local unity service.  I have seen a lot of things in my time in ministry but these times are always the greatest -- It is always great to see brothers and sisters in Christ from all over the specrtum worship together.  Each person and church did their part and it was a great success again.
I had the particular honor of preaching and I chose Acts 10:34-48 as a passage and I reminded people that just as Peter was a 'living witness' of Christ in his day we must be living witnesses in our day regardless of the name on the door. May it be true for all of us these days.

Blessings.

Marriage and the Bible -- Part 9 -- The Intermarrying Issue Again!

Of all the people in the Bible that most interpreters of Scripture get it wrong about, I think Simeon and Levi when they kill Hamor and Schechim and their men get the worst look of all.  The real idiot of the story is Jacob -- a) He does not seem to care one whit for his daughter getting RAPED and b) when he comes back from Laban he does not camp where he promised God he would (Bethel); had he done, so none of this would have happened.  Lesson: keep your promises to God and you don't open yourself up for this nonsense.  It also points out one of the flaws the family had -- favoratism.  Dinah was after all the daughter of Leah.

The reason I say this is that when Jacob curses both at the end of his life neither curse seems ot work and when you look at the Law of Moses later they actually fulfill it on two count's 1) The punishment for rape in the Law is death which is what Schechem recieved along with all those who would have protected him and 2) The Law will later specifically forbid intermarrying of the children of Israel with outsiders who are not Israelites with only one acception -- girls who were virgins from foreign lands who they conquered.  Jacob would allowed the violation of both principles.  Simeon and Levi will not allow it and through cleverness (they are outnumbered) they exact the proper punishment. 
 
In the end, history vindicates both Simeon and Levi.  Levi's tribe becomes the preisthood for Israel and Simeon does indeed get an inheritence in the land in the end.  In short Jacob's curses don't work.

The quesiton of intermarriage is not a race one; it is about faith and worship.  The issue is the draw of pagan spouses on their husbands or wives that would cause others to leave their faith in God.

Next: Judah and Tamar

Marriage and the Bible -- Part 8 -- Lest We Forget Esau

Esau is ultimately removed from God's plan.  Because he was a polygamist?  No.  Although he did marry several women including some daughters of Ishmael as well as a few local girls.  Esau's major grief to his parents when it came to his marriages was not how many, but who.  In short, Esau married women he did not consult his parents about and women who were idoloters.

What I think this illustrates is marriage can be bad by simply one thing -- having no consideration of the spiritual leanings and strength of your future spouse.  This draws the issue of marrying beleivers vs. non-beleivers into the discussion as well as parental involvment in a marriage.

Next: The Intermarrying Issue Again Already!

Marriage and the Bible -- Part 7 -- Jacob, Necessary Polygamist?

Changed the title because as I thought about it Jacob's polygamy, though he was tricked into it, becomes used by God to build the nation of Israel.  It is in fact the how of there are twelve tribes is due to Jacob's many children, possible becasue of his four wives. 

There are also several issues in this like Leah's basically being handed off to a man who didn't want her.  Still married but were they husband and wife?  Was their really a 'one flesh' relationship beyond the sexual between them?  Based on what happens -- probably not.  So what was their 'marriage'?   

One thing that does need to be considered is what would have happend had Jacob only had one wife and produced all his children through her.  Genetically, there would have been problems if this had been the case.  With four wives genetics spreads out and allows for more latitude.

The one thing that the story of Jacob's family does illustrate is the problems of a polygamist household.  Leah and Rachel basically have a baby making contest and when they can't do it anymore they involve the handmaidens.  But is this really a problem of polygamy itself or simply the way these marriages came about?  More likely the later.

Next: Lest We Forget Esau

Marriage and the Bible -- Part 6 -- Isaac's Arranged Marriage

Arranged Marriage. To many Westerners such a concept is repugnant but in the ancient Near East and in much of the world today it is actually the most common way a couple gets married. When you get down to it though this would cut through a lot of the garbage associated with 'finding the one".

Isaac's Father Abraham is the one with the idea and in the end the story is one of God's guidance although it will cause problems for one of Isaac and Rebecca's children later with a relative Laban. Overall, Isaac and Rebecca's' Marriage seems to be a happy one other than them each taking sides over their children.

Perhaps bringing in one's parents to help decided who you should marry isn't such a bad idea.

To recap so far, we haven't really passed the middle of Genesis and so far we have the following issues.
1. Marriage vs. Husband and Wife
2. Polygamy
3. Arranged Marriage
4. Marrying Relatives

Getting to be an interesting ride.

Next: Jacob, Super Polygamist?

Marriage and the Bible -- Part 5 -- Abraham the Polygamist

Now one thing that is often overlooked is that Abraham too was a polygamist but through a new concept at this point in the Bible -- concubinage. In the first case Hagar is offered to Abraham by Sarah (I always like to point out to people this was Sarah's idea). In Abraham's day this was common practice if the wife could not produce an heir, always nice to have a backup womb. Now we might argue that this was them not acting in faith. Maybe so but for the rest of Hagar's life she is considered to be Abraham's concubine/wife. In addition this is not the only concubine Abraham will take. After Sarah's death in Genesis 25, while Issac is being comforted by his new wife, Abraham takes a second concubine -- Keturah. She bears Abraham six children. Hagar is still alive. Two concubines for Abraham and the second one is by his own choice.

What this introduces to our discussion is the issue of concubinage -- the second class wife if you will. Basically, such wives are wives of convenience or necessity. They are their to bear the husband children but they and their children do not receive any inheritance after the husband's death should the first wife bear an heir. In Abraham's case both his concubines received stuff while he was alive but after he was dead only Isaac received the rest of his Father's inheritance. This is clearly a case of contractual obligation in a marriage and maybe defines the difference between a husband wife relationship by choice and a marriage agreement for practical purposes.

Next: Isaac's Arranged Marriage.

Marriage and the Bible -- Part 4 -- Abraham Marries His Sister

You know for all the talk of how Issac was the child of promise and he is, one of the interesting things about his parents Abraham and Sarah was that they had the same father. Two different mothers (another polygamist relationship) but they were brother and sister as well as husband and wife. Incest by the time Moses writes the Law but at this point apparently there is no such thing.
Who one can and cannot marry based on family relationship is something the Bible does deal with but the interesting thing about Genesis is that such concerns do not seem to be prevalent. The issue of why Sarah could not conceive may be as much an issue of family genetics as it was her own biology. Even to today the most common arranged marriage in many countries is to a member of the family.
The biblical issue is what is allowed and why. As time goes on the Bible becomes restrictive about who one can marry in the family but it does not completely get rid of it. If Moses is using Genesis as a basis for the Law that follows then it is interesting that Abraham's marriage to His sister will be illegal later. Changing nature of the God-man relationship? Probably.

Next: Abraham the Polygamist

Marriage and the Bible -- Part 3 -- Lamech and His Two Wives

Probably one of the most significant things about about the story of Lamech is his belief that God protected him because he was somehow greater than Cain even though he had murdered two men, although based on what he says is could have been self defense. In any case, that is not what is significant for this discussion. What is significant is Lamech is the Bible's first recorded polygamist. This introduces polygamy very early into our discussion on marriage.

One of the arguments I have read from several sources against polygamy is that Lamech was of the line of Cain and therefore polygamy's origins are suspect in an ungodly line. I find this argument a little unsatisfying because it is an argument from silence. Just because no one in Seth's line is referenced to have more than one wife does not mean it didn't exist. All the children's names are not mentioned either so it does not mean they didn't have names. In addition the text itself does not say Lamech was the first polygamist ever; the only reason he is being recorded is because of his belief he would be revenged seventy fold, he just addressed this to his two wives so their existence is recorded.

In addition, if we refrain from everything that the line of Cain invented then we need to stop: Living in tents and herding livestock, playing music, doing metalwork, etc. because it was the line of Cain that invented all these things as well.

What is really curious is that God is silent about the issue. The mention of multiple wives seems to be as matter of fact as if he had told people Lamech was bald. The morality of polygamy really is not an issue here, the only thing we can really say is that polygamy has been around for a LONG time.

Next: Abraham Marries His Sister

Marriage and the Bible -- Part 2 -- Were Adam and Eve Married?

It is an interesting question because we have certain notions of what it means when people get married but in the story of Creation none of those notions really exist: No ceremony, no vows, no license with a civil authority, etc.

What we do have is a statement by Adam -- "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh, she shall be called woman because she was taken out of man." Not exactly classic vows are they? And Eve says nothing. What follows are verses 24-25 which are commentary by Moses in a way -- "For this reason..." tells us that this story guided Moses' understanding about the significance of this action. He gives three things that seem to constitute a couple becoming husband and wife:
1. The man leaves his mother and father -- there must be a desire by the man to form his own household. He desires to take authority and start a family.
2. The man is joined to his wife -- now 'joined' could have multiple meanings but to put it in basic terms the couple forms their own household together and has sexual intercourse which makes them....
3. They become one flesh -- What God took apart is put back together and made one.
4. From then on they are naked and unashamed -- their relationship is open with no fear.

Notice that all that really matters is the formation of a household that is separate, sex and openness with no shame toward each other. Not a whole lot of romance in this story but then again if Eve asked Adam -- "Do you love me?" his response is -- "Who else?" There is also not a lot of cultural garbage attached to this either. No vows indicates Adam and his wife simply understood what it meant for them to be together. No ceremony meant they didn't real pronounce to any community other than the two of themselves and God that they were married. No licence indicates there were no obligations to law. They only had spiritual obligations to each other and God.

Husband and wife -- yes. Married -- by our cultural and religious standards -- No. Just a couple who just starts being together intimately in all senses right out of the gate. Maybe by God's standards, but the question of marriage isn't answered here. Marriage may be all the vows and crap, but being husband and wife is far more a constant thing and that is the nature of the question.

Next: Lamech and his two wives.

Marriage and the Bible -- Part 1 -- The Questions

New Series. I know I still have Series on Revelation out there but I am not ready to continue it so I am looking at something new.

Marriage. Now i am not going to give 7 steps to a healthier marriage. I am also not here to reinforce what everyone says marriage is my question is -- What does the Bible Say Marriage is? When does God according to his word recognize that a couple is married? These two questions have a whole batch of questions tagged with them.

1. Is there a difference between marriage and being husband and wife? Some say there is, are they right?

2. Does a license, vows and sexual intercourse constitute marriage or does the Bible give an actual moment of marriage that is definable?

3. Are other types of marriage bonds acceptable? Polygamy? Homosexual? Group?

4. Can someone become unmarried to God's view? Divorce?

Now other questions may come up but these are good for starters. My method will be much the same as always: Observe what the Bible says, try to interpret what it means, apply it to real life and the draw it all together with what I already know.

Next: Were Adam and Eve Married?

Returning to True Fundamentalism -- Part 6 -- Why Does This Matter?

OK. Let's recap. True Fundamentalism is about making a list of the minimum things required in a Christian doctrine statement to be Christian. my list is only five things long:
1. The Bible is the Inspired Word of God
2. God exists in three persons: The Father, The Son and the Holy Spirit and these three are one.
3. The reality of the person and work of Jesus Christ as both historical and spiritually significant
4. Through the person and work we can find salvation and find it in no other
5. Christ will return

Now, I want to note something -- I think this is all one needs to know to become a Christian and get saved. That said can anyone note all that is not said:

1. Type of inspiration (verbal, etc.)
2. The nature of God outside the trinity doctrine -- how is God omnipotent, omniscient, etc.
3. How one is saved by faith (faith and works controversy)
4. How salvation works and the nature of salvation are left somewhat open
5. End times -- completely open.

Why is this important? I think that unity is better achieved by fighting for the core, making allowances for differences outside the core and in all things being loving. Probably, the greatest downside to the Protestant Reformation has been division and hostility between the children of God. The fact is we often fight about many things that are not central to faith and the real issues often go by without really looking at them. The kind of unity Paul talked about in his writings is quite frankly imposable as long as these issues exist. We simply have a hard time accepting someone whose beliefs about Christianity are not very similar to our own and tat is becoming our downfall.

Finis

Returning to True Fundamentalism -- Part 5 -- The Return of Christ

Last fundamental of the true fundamentalist is that Christ will return to earth for his own.

Now, the significant thing is not what is said by this but what is not said:

1. No specific statement about 'the' tribulation
2. No statement about the flow of the end times

In short all that matters is Christ is going to return.

Next: So what is the big deal?

Arrrgh -- Technical Difficulties!!!!!!

Sorry for the missed post but my modem fried itself two days ago and just now it is fixed. I will try to write something substantive tomorrow.

Returning to True Fundamentalism -- Part 4 -- Salvation Through Christ

With the work of Christ complete, the door to salvation is opened. The issue for the true fundamentalist is one of Jesus being the only way to salvation. In short there are no other roads to eternal life.

The faith-works question is actually open and left to debate. The real issue is one of who purchased salvation not how it is acquired. Salvation issues are left open because salvation is a mystery and many of its parts are indeed subject to such debate.

Next: The Return of Christ

Last Holiday Post

I could call this the last garbage post but I digress. The point is I have been posting short because of the holidays and the fact I like to enjoy them. Tomorrow should be different as I will continue with something of substance. Right now I am just basking in the silence and last bits of goodwill of the holiday season.

Blessings.

Happy New Year -- 2010

Well, It has finally arrived. I simply wish everyone a great new year and one of spiritual blessing.

Looking forward to a great new year for myself with God guiding me I can't go wrong.

Blessings.